Asked by: Ivan Lewis (Independent - Bury South)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the Palestinian Authority's ability to ensure equal respect for the human rights of its citizens.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 24 October 2016 (written PQ 48706).
Asked by: Ivan Lewis (Independent - Bury South)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Israeli counterpart on the security situation in Israeli cities in range of Hamas terrorist attacks.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
We have not had any discussions with the Israeli authorities on this issue.
Asked by: Ivan Lewis (Independent - Bury South)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of efforts by the Palestinian Authority to deter terrorism.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
We consider that the track record of President Abbas and the Palestinian Authority shows their genuine commitment to non-violence and a negotiated two-state solution. As outlined in UN Security Council Resolution 2334, we continue to urge the leadership to do all they can to prevent all acts of violence, including through tackling incitement to violence and through condemning specific attacks when they occur. We welcome the security cooperation between the Palestinian Authority Security Forces and Israel, which is ongoing and which helps to prevent violence. The UK continues to support the Palestinian Security Forces to build up its capability.
Asked by: Ivan Lewis (Independent - Bury South)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent steps he has taken to support projects that foster co-operation and co-existence between Israelis and Palestinians.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is not providing any funding for coexistence projects during the current financial year (2016/17).
Asked by: Ivan Lewis (Independent - Bury South)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that free and fair elections take place in both the West Bank and Gaza.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
We continue to call on the Palestinian leadership to work towards genuine and democratic elections for all Palestinians. Strong, inclusive and democratic institutions, based on respect for the rule of law and human rights, are crucial elements in establishing a viable and sovereign Palestinian State. Our Consulate General in Jerusalem has regularly discussed the local elections with senior Palestinian officials over the past months. Following the postponement of the elections, we have continued to urge all sides to make efforts to hold genuine and democratic local elections in the West Bank and Gaza in accordance with the law.
Asked by: Ivan Lewis (Independent - Bury South)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the effect that projects fostering co-operation and co-existence have on the potential development of long-term peaceful relations between the Israel and Palestinian people.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
Projects that foster cooperation and coexistence can help to build understanding between Israelis and Palestinians, and maintain a constituency of support for peace. While the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is not providing any funding for these type of projects during this financial year (2016/17), the UK has previously supported a number of coexistence projects, aimed at building people-to-people links across Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The majority of this work has been supported through the Conflict Pool, or its successor the Conflict Security and Stability Fund, with funding allocated on a yearly basis. Ministers from the Department for International Development are assessing options for how the UK can do more to support work in this area.
Asked by: Ivan Lewis (Independent - Bury South)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support the creation of an International Fund for Israeli-Palestinian Peace.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
We have not taken steps to support this specific fund.
Asked by: Ivan Lewis (Independent - Bury South)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to work with the Palestinian Authority on promoting gender equality in the Palestinian Territories.
Answered by Tobias Ellwood
I refer the Hon. Member to my reply to the Hon. Member for Enfield North of 24 October 2016 (PQ 48760).